and Ismail hurried back again.

Within two minutes the Rangar stood facing them, looking more at
ease than they.

"I was cautioning those savages!" he explained. "They're an escort,
but they need a reminder of the fact, else they might jolly well
imagine themselves mountain goats and scatter among the 'Hills'!"

He drew out his wonderful cigarette case and offered it open to
Courtenay, who hesitated, and then helped himself. King refused.

"Major Courtenay has just told me," said King, "that nobody resembling
Yasmini has gone up the Pass recently. Can you explain?"

"You see, I've been watching the Pass," explained Courtenay.

The Rangar shook his head, blew smoke through his nose and laughed.

"And you did not see her go?" he said, as if he were very much amused.

"No," said Courtenay. "She didn't go."

"Can you explain?" asked King rather stiffly.

"Do you mean, can I explain why the major failed to see her? 'Pon
my soul, King sahib, d'you want me to insult the man? Yasmini is
too jolly clever for me, or for any other man I ever met; and the
major's a man, isn't he? He may pack the Khyber so full of men
that there's only standing room and still she'll go up without his